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Migrateful is a cookery and language initiative where asylum seekers, refugees and migrants struggling to access employment in the UK due to legal and linguistic barriers teach their traditional cuisines to the public (Picture: Susannah Ireland for Metro.co.uk)

Asylum seekers, refugees and migrants who have had doors shut in their faces for years are being given hope for the future through the art of cooking.

Migrateful, a cooking and language initiative, was set up in London in 2017 to help people who have been forced to flee their home countries find a way to share skills and contribute to society.

Migrateful founder and director Jess Thompson spent three years working to support migrants and refugees in camps in Morocco, France and London.

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Her work has included facilitating a weekly human trafficking support group, teaching English, Spanish and French to asylum seekers and setting up therapeutic English conversation clubs.

She set up Migrateful after meeting highly qualified refugees at a community project in Bethnal Green, London, who couldn’t access employment due to legal or language barriers.

She said witnessing their frustration in feeling undervalued and useless – despite having so many skills to offer – was the inspiration behind it.

Jess Thompson, Founder and Director of Migrateful, was inspired to set up the charity after working at refugee camps and helping migrants in the UK (Picture: Susannah Ireland for Metro.co.uk)

The chefs all meet once a week for an English class, teacher training and to eat together (Picture: Susannah Ireland for Metro.co.uk)

What the chefs say

Dorsa*, Iran

‘My mother encouraged me to do it. My most favourite thing is that I get to learn much more about the vocabulary that we use in cooking.

‘I know that’s not very exciting but for me that’s the most important thing.

‘We get to learn from each other and improve our cooking skills. My confidence compared to when I started has hugely improved.

‘At the beginning of the session we say something positive and something negative about our week and by hearing people’s positive thoughts it helps you to focus on your week and think about the positive things.

‘I also love learning about different people’s cultures and different people’s foods.’

Betty, Nigeria

‘The only time I have missed a session has been because I had a hospital appointment. But I love it here. Everyone is so nice, we have a real family feel – and I do love cooking.

‘You learn a lot about people’s cultures and I realised that we all have a lot in common when it comes to food and cooking as well as other stuff.

‘It was really difficult to start with because I’m not very good at telling people what to do.

‘I’m getting more comfortable which is another thing. It builds up your confidence in a way and you see people enjoying what you’ve made, it makes you feel good.

‘It’s made me come out of my shell with people. My English has improved and it has helped me to communicate.

‘I worked in care and childminding before. Now it feels incredibly frustrating that I can’t work, but today I am being positive.

‘We don’t work and we don’t get money so this gives us a purpose.

‘I like all these faces. I could never just talk like this in front of people before and now I’m bossing people around the kitchen. I love it.’

Delores, Cuba

‘I’m here because I like the food from different countries. This is what makes us happy.’

Maria, Ecuador

‘My friend contacted me and she told me to come. I am happy here because I can improve my English and learn about many different countries.’

Netsy, Eritrea

‘I love cooking. I love to try different food from different countries and I am making new friends.

‘Instead of staying at home and stressing, it’s good to get up in the morning and have something to do.

‘We come here and have fun and we have a different meal every week. It’s really amazing spending your time here.’

At Migrateful, the chefs improve their English skills while sharing their own knowledge with participants and each other (Picture: Susannah Ireland for Metro.co.uk)

Many of the chefs involved are unable to work due to their legal status or language barrier – but Migrateful offers them a way to contribute to their communities (Picture: Susannah Ireland for Metro.co.uk)

Each Migrateful class lasts three hours where participants cook and share a three course meal made from their chef’s home country.

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For one person to pay for an open class it costs £35, £70 for two people.

A private cookery class – for up to 8 people – costs £245. That price can be split between the group, making it just over £30 each.